Marco Beltman
Founder & Owner
Marco is a recognized industry acoustic expert and technical leader with extensive experience in acoustics, noise control, vibration analysis, immersive audio and compliance. As a Principal Engineer at Intel for over 24 years, he led cross organizational teams and his work impacted multiple platforms, and architectural electronic noise management solutions were integrated into Intel’s mainstream processors. Marco was the chairman of Industry Trade Association ITI - subcommittee TC6 "Product Acoustics“ for more than 10 years and served on the Board of Directors for the Institute of Noise Control Engineering. His work was published in journals and conferences, including the Journal of Sound and Vibration, IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, Journal Proceedings of the ACM, InterNoise and NoiseCon. He presented on acoustics in workshops, hosted by the National Academy of Engineering, on behalf of the IT industry. He is a member of the Acoustical Society of America, the Institute of Noise Control Engineering, and the Dutch Acoustical Society. He has published over 50 papers and holds 39 patents. He received his PhD Cum Laude in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Twente in The Netherlands and was a visiting scientist in the Explosions & Detonations Lab in the Aeronautics department at the California Institute of Technology. Marco loves the great outdoors and in his free time you can find him on rivers, mountains and trails. He likes to hike, ski, run, whitewater kayak and ride his motorcycle. Marco is a volunteer whitewater raft guide at Adventures Without Limits, opening the outdoors to people of all abilities.
Technical skills
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Extensive expertise in acoustic wave propagation and vibration modeling, including low-noise design strategies for consumer electronics, IT hardware, and industrial applications. Proven ability to conduct root cause analysis and mitigation of noise and vibration issues in products, facilities, and sensitive environments such as clean rooms and semiconductor fabs. Skilled in acoustic and vibration isolation techniques, ensuring optimal performance and minimal interference for precision equipment.
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Highly skilled in numerical modeling to analyze, predict, and optimize acoustic performance. Proficient in designing, setting up, and optimizing anechoic chambers and acoustic measurement laboratories for industry-leading testing environments. Extensive experience conducting sound quality analysis, including binaural recording, playback techniques, and psychoacoustic assessments. Expertise in advanced measurement techniques, including the use of sound level meters, microphones, accelerometers, and signal processing tools for precise noise and vibration evaluations. Proficient in order tracking for fans, machines, and engines, as well as multi-channel sound and vibration correlation to resolve complex acoustic challenges.
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Strong background in optimizing acoustic performance in hardware design, integrating architectural noise management solutions into processor and workstation designs. Expertise in speech recognition enhancement, voice interface optimization, and immersive audio solutions for consumer electronics. Skilled in applying psychoacoustic models to improve user experience and sound perception, ensuring optimal audio performance in various products.
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Deep understanding of sound perception and its impact on product branding and user satisfaction. Expertise in evaluating and optimizing product noise profiles, reducing unwanted anomalies while enhancing desirable acoustic characteristics. Skilled in subjective sound analysis methodologies, including binaural recording techniques and immersive audio algorithms for AR/VR and wearable technology applications.
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Extensive experience ensuring regulatory compliance with ISO, ECMA, ANSI, and other international standards for acoustics and vibration. Expertise in industry noise policies, eco-labeling requirements, and standardized testing frameworks for IT equipment and consumer electronics. Represented organizations in trade associations, regulatory discussions, and industry collaborations, advocating for best practices in acoustic and vibration engineering
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Designed and delivered customized training programs for engineers and researchers on acoustic measurement techniques, sound quality assessment, and industry compliance. Led hands-on workshops on setting up and using acoustic measurement equipment, enabling teams to enhance their testing and analysis capabilities. Served in advisory roles in research collaborations and technical committees, driving innovation and best practices in acoustics and vibration.
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Advised policymakers on noise regulations and consumer product standards, contributing to national and international noise control initiatives. Consulted with government agencies, industry leaders, and regulatory bodies on the development of acoustic technology roadmaps
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Available for subcontracting services, including on-site and remote acoustic measurements, data processing, and technical reporting. Able to conduct independent expert evaluations for new product designs, acoustic measurement tools, and noise simulation software
Work experience
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November 2024 - present
Consultant for sound and vibration measurements, analysis, design, sound quality, standards, training, expert evaluations and subcontracting
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October 1999 - August 2024
Principal Engineer in Intel Labs
Led the research and development across Intel for acoustics, immersive audio and noise & vibration
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October 1998 - October 1999
Viscothermal wave propagation and acousto-elastic interaction
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Explosion Dynamics Lab, 1998
Quantified the structural response of tubes to internal detonation loading, analytically, numerically, and experimentally for safety and pulse detonation engine applications
Education
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Structural Dynamics & Acoustics
University of Twente, The Netherlands, 1998
Focused on the interaction between vibrating surfaces and acoustic fields in thin gas or fluid layers. Models and results were applied to the analysis of the behavior of solar panels during launch (European Space Agency), optimization of inkjet print heads, noise reduction in electrical appliances and rolling bearings
Link to PhD thesis
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Structural Dynamics & Acoustics
University of Twente, The Netherlands, 1994
Selected journal publications, conference papers, patents (link to full list)
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W.M. Beltman, “Viscothermal wave propagation including acousto-elastic interaction, part I: theory, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 227(3), 1999
W.M. Beltman, “Viscothermal wave propagation including acousto-elastic interaction, part ii: Applications“, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 227(3), 1999
W.M. Beltman, J.E. Shepherd, “Linear elastic response of tubes to internal detonation loading“, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 252(4), 2002
H. Cordourier Maruri, P. Lopez Meyer, J. Huang, W.M. Beltman, L. Nachman, H. Lu, “V-speech: Noise-robust speech capturing glasses using vibration sensors”, Journal Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies, 2018.
W.M. Beltman, “Engineering a Quieter America: Progress on Consumer and Industrial Product Noise Reduction: Information Technology Equipment”, National Academy of Engineering Workshop, 2015.
A. Raychowdhury, C. Tokunaga, W.M. Beltman, M. Deisher, J. Tschanz, V. De, “A 2.3 nJ/frame voice activity detector-based audio front-end for context-aware system-on-chip applications in 32-nm CMOS”, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Eng (IEEE) - Journal of Solid State Circuits, 2013.
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W.M. Beltman, E. Baugh, “Information Technology Fan Noise and Mitigation”, Plenary, NoiseCon 2007.
W.M. Beltman, S. Bard, T. North, C. Oppenheimer, C. Peterson, A. Wiltzius, S. Zimmerman, “New ECMA 74 operating conditions for personal computers and workstations”, InterNoise 2021.
W.M. Beltman, E. Baugh, R. Doherty, E. Salskov, D. Gabel, P. Corriveau, “Applications of psychoacoustics to information technology products”, Acoustics 08, Paris, 2008.
R. Doherty, E. Salskov, P.J. Corriveau, P. Sorenson, D. Gabel, W.M. Beltman,”Background noise levels in PC home environments”, The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 118(3), 2005
H.Ayaz, P. Crawford, A. Curtin, Mashaal Syed, B. Onaral, W.M. Beltman, P.A. Shewokis, “Differential prefrontal response during natural and synthetic speech perception: An fNIR based neuroergonomics study“, Foundations of Augmented Cognition: 7th International Conference, AC 2013.
W.M. Beltman, H. Cordourier, P. Lopez Meyer, J Huang, H Lu, L Nachman, “ Hearing protection and communication in high noise environments using vibration sensing and neural network voice transformation”, InterNoise 2021, Washington DC, 2021
M. Ewers, S. Kincaid, W.M. Beltman, “Head related transfer function measurements of common PPE“, InterNoise 2021, Washington DC, 2021
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W.M. Beltman, J. Gullbrand, “Quiet system cooling using coupled optimization between integrated micro porous absorbers and rotors“, US Patent 9,170,616
A. Raychowdhury, W.M. Beltman, J.W. Tschanz, C. Tokunaga, M.E. Deisher, “Low power voice detection“, US Patent 9,633,654
A. Hallberg, W.M. Beltman, R. Nawoganker, N.M. Udochu, “Methods and apparatus for acoustic noise mitigation of electronic noise using adaptive sensing and control“, US Patent 12,223,937